As the death toll in Iraq climbs and U.S. military resources and personnel are stretched to their limits, many fear the military draft is well on its way to being reinstated.

Some UW students, afraid the War on Terror is failing, have taken an increasingly pessimistic view of the Bush administration’s policies — in large part because they feel the president’s decision to intervene in the Middle East could eventually require them to serve in the military.

“Students who are already concerned about the war in Iraq are thinking about it,” said Liz Sanger, chair of the UW College Democrats. “The war is going badly, and there is a sense of anxiety among people our age that this will turn into Vietnam.”

Indeed, both houses of Congress have proposed bills to reinstate the draft since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The measures would apply to men and women between the ages of 18 and 26; college students would not be exempt. Congress would need to pass one of the bills before the president could sign the proposal into law.

Yet despite heightened fears of a coming draft, many experts contend that though the military is unquestionably understaffed, it will never reverse its 1973 decision to end the draft.

“Even though there is a need there … I think it is too premature to think seriously about the draft,” said assistant political science professor Jon Pevehouse, adding the protests and problems that erupted from the Vietnam War era taught the Pentagon to avoid fighting a war with draftees.

Although Pevehouse admitted he does not foresee a U.S. military draft resurfacing in the near future, he does believe the Bush administration would offer individuals more incentives to serve, like signing bonuses and increased pay, as well as taking “intermediate steps” toward extending tours of duty.

UW political science professor Donald Ferree agrees, saying the Pentagon could prolong service so long that those individuals who signed up for military service find themselves participating in what essentially “amounts to a draft.” In fact, Milwaukee and Madison’s 32nd Military Police Company tour in Iraq was unexpectedly prolonged this summer, forcing local soldiers to continue serving past their normal schedule for duty.

Even if the sense of urgency that motivated drafts during WWII and the Cold War no longer exists, Ferree contends the possibility for a full-fledged military draft should not be ruled out.

“Never say never,” he said.

And as the presidential election draws near and some voters view the coming race as a referendum on the Bush administration, many Democrats urge young people to consider the threat of a resurrected draft when voting this fall.

Sanger argues Kerry’s plan to invite international allies to participate in the Iraq conflict would take the pressure off the U.S. armed forces, thus diminishing the need to call up a non-voluntary army. In addition, she points to Kerry and Bush’s respective military records as reason to vote for the Democratic ticket this election, most notably drawing a distinction between Kerry’s service in Vietnam and Bush’s lack thereof.

“We have a president who does not understand what it’s like serving in a foreign country, fighting in an unpopular war,” Sanger said. “I don’t think he values the sacrifice being in the service really is.”

But Bush supporters say Democrats are using the draft issue as a political ploy to win Kerry the election.

“[This] argument the liberals are using that if Bush gets re-elected he will reinstate the draft … is a liberal scare tactic,” said Jessi Schober, co-chair of Students for Bush.

Schober added Kerry’s plan to fight international terror is weak and does not support the military.

“Essentially Kerry’s plan is retreat. Let the world take over and get out of [Iraq],” she said, adding Republicans, by contrast, are pro-military. “[But] Bush believes in the troops and believes the troops can get this done.”

Democrats counter that no matter the Republican rhetoric, Bush’s policies prove he does not support the troops.

“I’m surprised to see any veteran for Bush because he doesn’t represent veterans,” Sanger said, pointing to veterans’ health-care benefits the Bush administration cut during the last four years. Sanger added disagreeing with the president’s policies does not mean Democrats are necessarily anti-military.

“It’s definitely possible to support the troops and not support the commander-in-chief.”

The debate over which political party represents the interests of the military will likely rage on until Election Day. The fate of the draft, however, could remain uncertain as the War on Terror continues indefinitely.

But even though the uncertain future of the war in Iraq may dictate whether college students are eventually called to serve, political realities here at home could — in the end — be the final word on the draft.

“I don’t see a draft happening. I can’t see any representatives being willing to vote for it,” Schober said. “[I]t would be political suicide.”